coastguard station

Terrace of five single-bay two-storey coastguard houses, built c. 1840, now in private residential use. Hipped natural slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and clay pots, carved timber eaves brackets, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Smooth rendered walls, snecked squared limestone walls to rear (north-west) elevation, red brick quoins. Square-headed window openings having replacement windows throughout, red brick block-and-start surrounds to openings to rear, limestone platband forming continuous sill course to front (south-east) and south-west elevations. Recent sea scouts' building adjoining northeast elevation. Rubble limestone wall to front, with timber battened gate and limestone steps. Set back from northwest of promenade on Bull Wall.

This former coastguard station is an important component of late nineteenth-century maritime heritage. Although it has been somewhat altered and is no longer in use for its original function it retains its original form and character. It is enhanced by its setting adjacent to the causeway leading to Bull Island. This station was built on ground leased from the board of the adjacent watchmen's cottages, on the condition that the coastguards would assist the watchmen with their duties. The Coastguard Service was established in 1822, with a view to the control of smuggling and providing a rescue service and stations were built all around the coastline. Thom's Directories of 1886 and 1891 value this structure at £14 and list Charles Thompson as chief boatman. The buildings were partially burned during the turbulent years of 1916-22.